History of the Dhara Dhevi Drama hotel from construction to closure

The tourism business was destroyed. From the spread of the COVID-19 virus Still To Be Forgotten You haven’t been able to stand upright in recent months. Despite the government’s efforts to boost domestic tourism

So far we have seen pictures of hotels and lodgings. Where the hemp line is not long, many places gradually close

Another case that tourists bring with them screaming regret for it is “The Dhara Dhevi Hotel” Chiang Mai Province What yesterday (November 29, 63) news of the closure of the company and dismissal of employees Due to lack of liquidity in commercial operations

“Thong Bung Si ordered” The president of the Northern Thailand Hotel Association (Upper) said that “The Dhara Dhevi is the first high-value hotel in Chiang Mai to announce its closure.”

“Prachachat Business” Compiling the history of the Dhara Dhevi theater Who found that there were conflicts since the construction Including the issue of the change of hands Before bringing to closure

Before entering the story Starting with the name of “Dhara Dhevi” What data from Praew Wedding indicated that the word “star” There are 3 meanings: First meaning It is part of the name ofHalo star Consort in His Majesty King Chulalongkorn Who is a person who has played a very important role in the revitalization of the Lanna culture.

Second meaning According to the position of the building in zodiac style according to the Lanna belief, it is 1 door, that is, the one-way entrance, namely the Chaiya Dara Door, 3 Jung, are the 3 main buildings that serve all guests, 7 Nong is the original swamp. That already existed before construction, in addition to a newly excavated pool and 12 towers that connect the buildings. Which are lined up in the shape of birds according to the hotel map.

Reason for being a bird Because the people of Lanna respect the ruler who Be the lord of the sky The hotel is decorated with birds almost everywhere. Especially the peacock which is a symbol of the sun, the center of astronomy. And still connected to Third meaning A design method that uses stars as the hotel’s logo.

part “Princess” It comes from the popularity of respect for noble women in Lanna society who represent kindness and support.

The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai Facebook page stated that the Dhara Dhevi hotel began construction in 2002 before opening in 2004. In the same year, the “Dhara Dhevi” Signed a memorandum of understanding with “Mandarin group” The essence of this is that Mandarin will become the executive of Dhara Dhevi for a period of 15 years (for the next 15 years) in exchange for Dhara Dhevi gaining experience and knowledge in hotel management. Training staff Including marketing and public relations networks, Mandarin Group already has a database of clients from major hotel chains around the world.

The hotel with an investment of up to 3 billion baht has had a drama since its construction period. Due to opposition from Lanna scholars The simulation case for archaeological sites and historical sites At the hotel As reported by 360 degree managers

The owner of the hotel is “Suchet Suwanmongkol” Previously interviewed with Thairath Online that The Family is the largest Isuzu dealer in the South. But with that he is fascinated by the charm of the arts, culture and architecture of Lanna. Therefore, I declare that This life asks to die in Chiang Mai

“At first I started working in a small restaurant called “Le Grand Lanna” They have been doing it for 2 years so they have gradually expanded to build a hotel kingdom according to their dreams, “said Suchet.

But after only a few years of operation There are rumors that“Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai” Sell ​​business

Year 2012 ” San Suee Saeng “ Advisor, Mandarin Oriental, Dhara Dhevi, revealed to “Prachachat Business” That because of the news that the owner of the hotel is a group “Suchet Suwanmongkol” Sold the business to other investors later Not true

In fact, there is a group of investors from China. It owns two private airlines and several hotels in China interested in joint ventures. Buying 49% of the shares for an amount greater than 2 billion baht and joining with some additional investment plans.

That the Dhara Dhevi Hotel continues to operate as usual Most of the partners remain the same group. And continue driving with the Oriental chain as before “Sant”Agree that many years ago The owner of the company is trying to find more venture capitalists. To ease the burden on financial institutions AND raise money to invest in the prepared projects I don’t want to sell the business Because it has invested several billion baht AND the hotel works well

Later, in 2015, the news of the sale of the hotel business came true when “Suchet”Has sold the hotel to “Dr. Wichai Thavornwattanayong, MD”Chairman of the Board of Directors of Inter Far East Energy Corporation Public Company Limited (IFEC), IFEC acquired 100% of the shares of the Dhara Dhevi Hotel Chiang Mai with a total debt of 2.52 billion baht, according to the News1live report.

After that, there was news that the Hotel Dhara Dhevi was close to bankruptcy because IFEC had problems with shareholders. “Dr. Wichai”Denied that it wasn’t true

Towards the year 2020, when the global impact of Covidton Shares reported that the management of the Dhara Dhevi Hotel has informed IFEC that it needs to temporarily close the Dhara Dhevi Hotel. And I can’t open the hotel.With more than 300 employees, you can serve customers with just one room.

On examination, it was discovered that Dhara Devi had no money, not even a salary. Having business debt Including utility bills of more than 30 million baht, the new board has helped solve financial problems. Providing multi-fold loans worth nearly 20 million baht

IFEC revealed that at the end of 2015, IFEC sent a subsidiary Inter Far East Cap Management Buy shares of Dhara Dhevi Hotel From a shareholder who is a limited company Worth several hundred million baht Including the purchase of debt from a financial institution The value total is almost 4 billion baht. When purchased, Dhara Dhevi has a license to operate a hotel with only 64 rooms and the remaining 59 rooms have not yet received a hotel license. For having to wait for the results of the environmental impact study That is not finished

When the Dhara Devi Open only for part of the room But hire a full staff of about 400 people or use 6 people per guest (in case of full guest), 5-star employee benefits, free dorm staff. By feasting on 2 meals a day, there is no question why Dara Devi has to suffer heavy losses every year.

In terms of room users, it was found that from October 2019 to early January 2020, there were around 20 rooms, but when the Dhara Dhevi Hotel meets the first part of the COVID-19 outbreak. There are about 10 rooms left until the last one only has 1 guest left and the service is temporarily closed at this time. From the impact of COVID-19

In May, an online manager reported that more than 100 Dhara Dhevi hotel employees filed a complaint. At Chiang Mai Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office In case the employee is not paid for 4 months

“We are not paid. But if we are absent, we will have to be deducted. If you want to leave, surrender on your own The compensation will not even be one baht. Ask for the news area here asking the management and people involved in paying for salaries to the employees of the Dhara Dhevi Hotel Chiang Mai, I don’t know if this kind of action the management tried to force the employees to leave alone or not. Therefore, the hotel will not be responsible for the compensation to the employees, “said one And provide information that The salary problem has existed since November 2019, the first month a new hotel manager has taken over the Dhara Dhevi hotel.

Till the date November 23 atPast The Dhara Dhevi hotel There has been a termination notice to all hotel employees for a reason.Outbreak ofCOVID-19